LS Veterinary Services, PLLC

09/17/2025

We had a great time at Noble Road Equine teaching the riding students about parts of the horse and acupuncture.
The kids had so many questions and were already so knowledgeable.
We couldn’t be happier to be a part of their horsemanship journey!

09/16/2025

Hoof abscesses: the pain is real, but the path to recovery is manageable!
As an equine vet, here’s how I approach hoof abscesses and what every horse owner needs to know:
⏱ Timeline:
Most abscesses “declare themselves” with sudden lameness.
With proper care, many horses improve within 1–2 weeks.

🩺 Treatment Steps:
Diagnosis: Exam, hoof testers, sometimes radiographs to rule out other issues.
Drainage: Opening the abscess allows pressure to release and promotes healing.
Soaking & Bandaging: Short-term soaking in warm water and Epsom salts, then protective bandaging.

Pain Management: NSAIDs or other medications as prescribed by your vet.
Controlled Exercise: Once pain subsides, gradual return to activity to promote circulation.

⚠️ Exceptions / Complications:
Deep abscesses near joints, tendons, or navicular structures may require advanced imaging or prolonged treatment.
Chronic or recurrent abscesses often indicate underlying hoof imbalances or infections.

💡 Vet Tip: Abscesses are painful but usually resolve quickly with timely veterinary intervention. Early diagnosis, proper drainage, and following your vet’s rehab plan is key!

Have questions about your horse’s hoof health? DM us or schedule a consult—prevention and early intervention make all the difference. 🐎💙

09/15/2025

Your horse’s tendon injury doesn’t have to be the end of their season, or their career.
Regenerative therapies are changing the game in equine rehab. Here’s what every horse owner needs to know:
✅ What it is: Treatments like PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and stem cell therapy use the horse’s own cells to help repair damaged tendons.
✅ Why it works: These therapies can accelerate healing, improve tendon fiber quality, and reduce the risk of re-injury.
✅ When it helps: Early intervention is key. The sooner a tendon injury is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome.
✅ Your role: Partner with your vet for proper diagnosis, imaging, and a customized rehab plan.

Pro tip: Recovery isn’t instant—patience and structured rehab are essential. But with modern regenerative therapies, your horse can get back to the performance you both love.
Curious if regenerative therapy could help your horse? Drop us a comment or DM to schedule an evaluation!

09/12/2025

Cooler nights + sunny days = high sugar grass — a perfect storm for laminitis in sensitive horses.
Here’s how to protect your horse this fall:
1️⃣ Know Your Pasture: After the first frost, sugar levels can spike! Limit grazing until temps stabilize.
2️⃣ Turn Out Smart: Choose early morning turnout (before sun drives sugars up). Avoid mid-afternoon grazing.
3️⃣ Monitor Body Condition: Fall weight gain can tip insulin-resistant horses over the edge. Check neck crests & fat pads weekly.
4️⃣ Adjust Feed: Swap high-sugar feeds for low NSC hay and consider a grazing muzzle if needed.
5️⃣ Stay on Top of Hoof Care: Keep trims on schedule — long toes = extra stress on the laminae.
👀 Watch for early signs: shifting weight, reluctance to turn, or warm hooves. Call me at the first sign — early intervention saves hooves.
🍁 Save this post & share to keep barn mates laminitis-aware this fall!

09/11/2025

Now carrying dog rabies vaccine. Let’s get protected 🦨

Rabies continues to be a concern, with recent cases in Oklahoma in cattle and horses. Please remember this is a disease that is spread by the bite of infected wildlife - primarily skunks and bats in Oklahoma. All animals that are in close contact with humans should be vaccinated! All humans that are potentially exposed to rabies must be treated - which is costly! Cost of vaccination of your horse will vary from $10-$25. Cost to treat a human exposed to any animal with rabies may be up to $10,000 out of pocket!

If you see a skunk acting abnormally - do not approach! Contact your veterinarian to get your horse's rabies vaccine today!

09/04/2025

🌱 Supporting Gut Health During Weaning 🌱
Weaning is not just about separating mare and foal—it’s also a major shift for the digestive system. Stress + diet changes can upset the gut, leaving foals more vulnerable to colic, diarrhea, and poor growth.
Here’s how to support a healthy gut through the transition:
1️⃣ Start early.
Introduce creep feed 2–4 weeks before weaning so the gut adapts gradually.
2️⃣ Fiber first.
Make forage the foundation—about 1.5–2% of body weight daily. This keeps the hindgut working properly.
3️⃣ Go slow with changes.
Avoid sudden switches in hay or concentrate. Small, steady adjustments = happy gut microbes.
4️⃣ Consider probiotics or prebiotics.
Ask your vet about supportive supplements to stabilize gut flora during stressful times.
5️⃣ Watch closely.
Loose manure, off feed, or signs of colic? Don’t wait—early intervention is key.
🐴💡 A resilient gut at weaning sets the stage for long-term growth, performance, and soundness.
👉 Save this for your fall checklist & share with a fellow horse owner!

09/02/2025

Stress & Immunity: What Happens During Weaning
Weaning is one of the most stressful events in a young horse’s life—and that stress doesn’t just cause calling and pacing. It also impacts your foal’s immune system.

Here’s how:
1️⃣ Cortisol spikes
Stress hormones rise sharply after weaning. This can weaken the foal’s natural defenses.
2️⃣ Lower disease resistance
A stressed foal is more susceptible to respiratory illness, diarrhea, and slower recovery from routine challenges.
3️⃣ Gut health takes a hit
Stress can disrupt gut bacteria, making foals more prone to digestive upset.
✅ What you can do:
Use gradual or fence-line weaning to reduce stress.
Keep routines consistent—same paddock, same companions, same feeding times.
Monitor closely in the first 2 weeks post-weaning for coughs, nasal discharge, fever, or diarrhea.
Reach out and we will help you determine the best vaccination & deworming schedule to support immunity during this time.

🐴💡 Remember: protecting your foal’s immune system at weaning means protecting their future health.

👉 Save this for your fall checklist & share with a fellow horse owner.

08/30/2025

Fall special vaccines prevent this 🤙🏻

At this time, there are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat eastern equine encephalitis.

08/29/2025

5 Fall Foal Weaning Tips Every Horse Owner Should Know
1️⃣ Go gradual, not abrupt.
Fence-line or small-group weaning keeps stress lower than sudden separation.
2️⃣ Prep 2–4 weeks ahead.
Introduce creep feed and be sure your foal is confidently eating on its own before weaning.
3️⃣ Health first.
Double-check vaccines and deworming with your vet before you wean.
4️⃣ Create a calm environment.
Use a safe paddock, a steady companion, and avoid stacking stressors like hauling or farrier work the same week.
5️⃣ Feed for steady growth.
Forage should be ~1.5–2% of body weight/day, plus an age-appropriate concentrate if needed. Monitor closely the first two weeks.

Smart, steady steps now set your foal up for lifelong health and performance.
👉 Share with another horse owner who’s weaning this fall!

08/28/2025

Fall is just around the corner, which means it's time for a FALL-CHECKLIST! 🍂🍁

As the cooler weather moves in, now is the time to crack down on housing, nutrition, and preventative health strategies suitable for the arrival of winter.

Check out this list of essential items on the horse owner's fall to-do list, but there is much more that needs to be done—like having your horse's blankets repaired and waterproofed, securing and storing hay properly, assessing your shelters for safety and soundness, etc.

Note that your equine veterinarian is one of your greatest allies this season, so be sure to consult them and discuss vaccination and deworming protocols appropriate for your horse’s situation. This is also a great opportunity to chat about recommended changes in nutrition and exercise programs as well!

08/27/2025

Happy National dog day! Share some pictures because we love them all 😊 🐶